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Most Republicans *did* want to make the repeal of the death tax permanent.

Only on their terms. What about this:

Democrats advanced two alternatives in the run-up to the final vote, both of which fell short of the 60-vote threshold required by Senate rules.
One option, which got 38 votes, would have made the tax repeal permanent for all but the largest estates — those over $3.5 million for individuals and $7 million for couples.

That was a compromise bill offered by Kent Conrad. Among those voting against this permanent repeal of the estate tax were:

Frist, Bond, Gramm, Nickles, Grassley,Santorum, Hagel, Sessions, Hatch,Shelby, Hutchinson, Cleland Kyl Stevens Cochran Landrieu Thomas Domenici Warner Ensign McConnell Wyden

Those are just the big name GOPers so adamant about protecting the small businessmen and women of America. As Phil Gramm once said:

"I think small business is to people and government today what the small farmer was during the time of Jefferson," said Sen. Phil Gramm, R-Texas. "Small business is really the face of American prosperity."

So why not compromise? If they had voted for the Conrad bill, the estate tax would be repealed today for ALMOST everyone. I have read that the entire estate tax AS IS affects 2% of the population. I wonder how many people would have been affected under the Conrad version. Can you explain any of this?

What is your objection to the death tax? If it is principle, that is, one shouldn't be taxed again on money that has already been taxed, then you should be against the Dem version. If one has earned and paid taxes on income, why do they need to pay more taxes just because they died?
And if you just think that a certain amount of money is "enough", well, $7M isn't a lot for a farm or business these days, and there is no COL provision in the Dem bill. $7M will be even less in 10 years. Most people would like to leave their entire business to their children.
There really isn't a compromise. Either it's your money or it's not. The only way to set a limit on how much money you can leave to your children is to say that it really isn't your money. I think it is your money!